Joanne Davison Smashes European Deaf Hammer Record
14 Jun 2004 15:57
Deaf athlete Joanne Davison to has broken the European deaf hammer record four times in the space of two weeks!
The European record had stood since the 2001 Deaflympics in Rome. The old record of 38.90 was broken three times in one meeting when Jo threw 39.81, then 40.58 and 39.08 in one competition in Crawley on 11 April 2004.
Joanne only took up track and field athletics in February 2003 after an achilles injury put a stop to her road racing for a while. She had to try something else to continue her athletics hobby instead of giving up the sport. Within a few months, she won the DUKA Championships in London in September 2003 and was selected to represent GB in the European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, in March 2004 where she tried the shot.
Joanne, who became deaf at the age of 5 through meningitis, has proved that hard work and dedication will bring success. Her training includes lots of throwing and drills, weight/gym sessions, running, agility training and various exercises and swimming six or seven days of the week. Since moving to track and field athletics a year ago, she has won several UK Athletics First Division matches this season and broken her club record, the Sussex Senior record, DUKA record and now the deaf European Record.
Joanne's aim is to do her best in the Deaflympics in Melbourne and allready her latest Hammer European Record of 43.44 is less than two metres away the World Record of 45.43 metres!
" I hope to go to the Deaf Olympics, continue to break records and get in the top 50 in the UK for the hammer (hearing). It's very tough " laughs Jo with determined outlook to the future.
Jo will be competing in the Steven Greene Athletics Championship on 10 July 2004, at New River, Sports Centre, White Hart Lane, Wood Green, London N22 5QW. Any athlete is welcome to take part.
Jo's story was also featured on UK Athletics here: www.ukathletics.net
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